NEW ORLEANS — A former employee is suing Laborde Marine alleging he was injured during the course of his employment.
Reuben Blanchard alleges the defendants violated the General Maritime Law, Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act and Louisiana state laws, according to a complaint filed Nov. 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Employed by Valaris Ltd. as an assistant electrician working on Valaris platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, Blanchard experienced an incident on Nov. 29, 2022, according to the suit.
Blanchard claims while boarding the M/V LADY LAB at the EPS dock in Venice, La., he encountered an inoperable gangway, necessitating the use of a temporary gangway owned by Laborde and/or EPS.
Due to inadequate lighting and the positioning of the gangway, Blanchard suffered a non-displaced ankle fracture when attempting to step down, attributing the incident to the negligence of the defendants, according to the suit.
The negligence allegations against Laborde include failure to provide safe ingress, inadequate lighting, improper placement and maintenance of the gangway, and failure to warn of hazards. EPS is accused of negligence for the same reasons.
As a consequence of the defendants' negligence, Blanchard sustained injuries leading to medical treatment, loss of work, and permanent physical impairments.
Blanchard is seeking compensatory damages. He is represented by Christopher J. St. Martin and Joseph G. Jevic III of St. Martin & Bourque in Houma.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:23-cv-07054
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